Survey development to assess parental satisfaction with adapted physical education teachers' abilities working with children with autism

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to systematically develop and validate an instrument to assess parental perceptions toward adapted physical education (APE) teachers, who work with children with autism.

Methods: Participants included two expert panels and parents of children and youth with autism. The survey used a Likert-scale design where parents rated their level of satisfaction regarding communication with, qualifications of, and rapport with the APE teachers.

Results: Based on α coefficients for each of the three subscales, it was concluded that the survey had high internal validity. Split-half reliability determined by the Spearman Brown Prophecy coefficient indicated high reliability.

Conclusion: Preliminary evidence demonstrated that the survey may be a useful tool in assessing parental perceptions of their child's APE teacher.

Keywords:

• adapted physical education
• collaboration
• parents
• communication
• autism

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Dr Lynn Couturier from the Physical Education Department at the State University of New York at Cortland and Dr Kevin Keffernam from the Exercise Department at Syracuse University for their assistance in this paper.